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EE EO eee eee i <> ie Physically speaking, both characters look quite sexy especially since their clothes accentuate their figure—more so for Chun Li in the game. Chun Li’s original character in the game is illustrated as wearing a blue gipao with golden accents (Figure 16 and 18), a Chinese dress from Manchuria (Ma and Zou, 2022; Grela-Chen, 2020; Law and Qin, 2023) that was very popular among girls during the early twentieth century. Her outfit is modified to allow a wider range of movement than a normal qipao. It usually goes down past her knees with two identical slits that go up to her upper thighs; hence, many players gush over her muscular thighs. She styles her hair into two buns or ox horns (figure 18) as it is called, a typical style in which Chinese children and also the girls in Chinese paintings are frequently described dress their hair (Wong and Thiagarajan, 2021; Liu, 2021).

Figure 16 EE EO eee eee i <> ie Physically speaking, both characters look quite sexy especially since their clothes accentuate their figure—more so for Chun Li in the game. Chun Li’s original character in the game is illustrated as wearing a blue gipao with golden accents (Figure 16 and 18), a Chinese dress from Manchuria (Ma and Zou, 2022; Grela-Chen, 2020; Law and Qin, 2023) that was very popular among girls during the early twentieth century. Her outfit is modified to allow a wider range of movement than a normal qipao. It usually goes down past her knees with two identical slits that go up to her upper thighs; hence, many players gush over her muscular thighs. She styles her hair into two buns or ox horns (figure 18) as it is called, a typical style in which Chinese children and also the girls in Chinese paintings are frequently described dress their hair (Wong and Thiagarajan, 2021; Liu, 2021).

Related Figures (14)

Figure 3. Chun Li fighting armed men (00:48:28 - 00:48:57) Under the guidance of her father, she has taken martial arts training since childhood (figure 1) and is stronger than most women her age. She is more han capable of fighting and defeating a group of men even unarmed. It is proven throughout her journey in Bangkok. Chun Li has defeated four hugs who are trying to rob an old man (figure 2). Not only that, but she also manages to deal with Bison and his Shadaloo organization. After raining with Gen, she becomes far stronger than before and can even take on a group of fully armed men easily (figure 3 and 4).
Figure 3. Chun Li fighting armed men (00:48:28 - 00:48:57) Under the guidance of her father, she has taken martial arts training since childhood (figure 1) and is stronger than most women her age. She is more han capable of fighting and defeating a group of men even unarmed. It is proven throughout her journey in Bangkok. Chun Li has defeated four hugs who are trying to rob an old man (figure 2). Not only that, but she also manages to deal with Bison and his Shadaloo organization. After raining with Gen, she becomes far stronger than before and can even take on a group of fully armed men easily (figure 3 and 4).
Figure 1. Chun Li training martial arts with her father (00:03:04 - 00:04:12)
Figure 1. Chun Li training martial arts with her father (00:03:04 - 00:04:12)
Figure 7. Vega picking Chun-Li’s hair from his weapon (01:00:46-01:00:55) 01:26:25) The kick-ass image that the dragon lady possesses does not stop there. Tung (2004) states, “the other popular understanding of Asian women’s physical prowess and power is in relation 0 sexuality.” It is obvious how Vega absolutely enjoys fighting and watching Chun Li’s fight from he way he caresses the brown strand that is left behind in his weapon (figure 7). He even licks his ips as he eyes her up and down. Even though his perfect killing record cannot stand against Chun Li, Vega has shown pleasure in dealing with a female who cannot easily be killed. At first he is surprised hat a woman can hurt him (figure 8), but he later seems to enjoy fighting her as a female fighter is unusual.
Figure 7. Vega picking Chun-Li’s hair from his weapon (01:00:46-01:00:55) 01:26:25) The kick-ass image that the dragon lady possesses does not stop there. Tung (2004) states, “the other popular understanding of Asian women’s physical prowess and power is in relation 0 sexuality.” It is obvious how Vega absolutely enjoys fighting and watching Chun Li’s fight from he way he caresses the brown strand that is left behind in his weapon (figure 7). He even licks his ips as he eyes her up and down. Even though his perfect killing record cannot stand against Chun Li, Vega has shown pleasure in dealing with a female who cannot easily be killed. At first he is surprised hat a woman can hurt him (figure 8), but he later seems to enjoy fighting her as a female fighter is unusual.
Figure 5. Chun Li’s training to channel her inner energy (01:12:23 - 01:12:49) move from the video game and is usually used to defeat her enemy. In the movie, Chun Li uses it (figure 6) during her battle against Bison where she eventually defeats him. There is no doubt that Chun Li is a strong character. She has said it herself that “I am the strongest woman in the world!”. The battle against Vega has provided another proof. Trained in assassination by Bishon, Vega is defeated by Chun Li in their fight.
Figure 5. Chun Li’s training to channel her inner energy (01:12:23 - 01:12:49) move from the video game and is usually used to defeat her enemy. In the movie, Chun Li uses it (figure 6) during her battle against Bison where she eventually defeats him. There is no doubt that Chun Li is a strong character. She has said it herself that “I am the strongest woman in the world!”. The battle against Vega has provided another proof. Trained in assassination by Bishon, Vega is defeated by Chun Li in their fight.
eee a This shows that although Chun Li might be strong, her physical strength and power simply becomes another trait that attracts male sexually. Her portrayal therefore does not fully reflect a positive image as it confirms the stereotypical representations of Asian women as a strong and desirable kung fu master. Chun Li is actually one of the many Asian female characters who are fiercely good at martial arts. Other examples are he characters played by Michelle Yeoh in Police Story III: Supercop (1992), The Heroic Trio 1993), Wing Chun (1994), and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). It implies that, although he female Asian characters are presented as a strong one in terms of their physical and fighting prowess, their representation ends up playing to the dragon lady stereotype rather than empowering hem.
eee a This shows that although Chun Li might be strong, her physical strength and power simply becomes another trait that attracts male sexually. Her portrayal therefore does not fully reflect a positive image as it confirms the stereotypical representations of Asian women as a strong and desirable kung fu master. Chun Li is actually one of the many Asian female characters who are fiercely good at martial arts. Other examples are he characters played by Michelle Yeoh in Police Story III: Supercop (1992), The Heroic Trio 1993), Wing Chun (1994), and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). It implies that, although he female Asian characters are presented as a strong one in terms of their physical and fighting prowess, their representation ends up playing to the dragon lady stereotype rather than empowering hem.
Figure 9. Chun Li’s framing position, smirking (01:01:26 -01:01:29)
Figure 9. Chun Li’s framing position, smirking (01:01:26 -01:01:29)
Figure 10. Chun Li’s framing position, looking down at her opponent (01:01:29 - 01:01:32)
Figure 10. Chun Li’s framing position, looking down at her opponent (01:01:29 - 01:01:32)
Figure 13. The officer fascinated by Chun Li (01:01:50 - 01:02:09)
Figure 13. The officer fascinated by Chun Li (01:01:50 - 01:02:09)
Figure 19. Chun Li in the game ending I 4 a a iad AO. YPLYUTE Lab OD LCUOEUTILDR EFL LILO Coen Chun Li in the movie, as discussed in the previous section, usua 15). Near the final batt black tight combat bod Regarding her hairstyle, ly wears a fighting garb consisting of a combination of tank top, pants, hiking boots, and fingerless gloves (figure 11 and e, she is shown to wear a ysuit (figure 12 and 17). she mostly keeps her hair in a low ponytail and only styled it once into twin buns during the movie. Both versions of hairstyles and outfits worn by Chun Li in the game and movie are intended to make her able to move easily during battle and seduce her enemy. Therefore, in relation o their physical appearance and costume in both media, Chun Li's character does possess the characteristic of being seductive, which is a trait of he dragon lady stereotype.
Figure 19. Chun Li in the game ending I 4 a a iad AO. YPLYUTE Lab OD LCUOEUTILDR EFL LILO Coen Chun Li in the movie, as discussed in the previous section, usua 15). Near the final batt black tight combat bod Regarding her hairstyle, ly wears a fighting garb consisting of a combination of tank top, pants, hiking boots, and fingerless gloves (figure 11 and e, she is shown to wear a ysuit (figure 12 and 17). she mostly keeps her hair in a low ponytail and only styled it once into twin buns during the movie. Both versions of hairstyles and outfits worn by Chun Li in the game and movie are intended to make her able to move easily during battle and seduce her enemy. Therefore, in relation o their physical appearance and costume in both media, Chun Li's character does possess the characteristic of being seductive, which is a trait of he dragon lady stereotype.
i Af mew RIEU 2b CEL LILO Que tee SOREL Oy _~ Next, comparing the original Chun Li to its American counterpart is like comparing a girl to a woman. Personality-wise, the original Chun Li takes on a more innocent and childish side; it can be seen from how she seeks approval from Ryu, a fellow Street Fighter, over her fighting ability. She sees Ryu as someone she can look up to and not a boyfriend material. Furthermore, compared to her movie counterpart’s sensual and dangerous vibes,
i Af mew RIEU 2b CEL LILO Que tee SOREL Oy _~ Next, comparing the original Chun Li to its American counterpart is like comparing a girl to a woman. Personality-wise, the original Chun Li takes on a more innocent and childish side; it can be seen from how she seeks approval from Ryu, a fellow Street Fighter, over her fighting ability. She sees Ryu as someone she can look up to and not a boyfriend material. Furthermore, compared to her movie counterpart’s sensual and dangerous vibes,
Figure 21. Chun Li in the game original Chun Li is presented as a_ kind, enthusiastic, and caring character. In the game, whenever players win battles using Chun Li, she would be shown to (figure 21). Then, in cheer while jumping in joy the ending of Street Fighter II, she is shown to have visited her father’s grave after she has successfully defeated Bison (figure 19). She is also illus gears and don norma rated to remove her fighting clothes, while saying “AND I CAN GET BACK TO BEING A YOUNG SINGLE GIRL” (figure 20). It is apparent that Chun Li does not ac ually enjoy fighting, but she has to do that in order to find out the truth behind her father’s death and avenge him. She is strong in her own right, yet she uses that strength not only for fighting (like her movie counterpart does) but also for helping others (figure 22).
Figure 21. Chun Li in the game original Chun Li is presented as a_ kind, enthusiastic, and caring character. In the game, whenever players win battles using Chun Li, she would be shown to (figure 21). Then, in cheer while jumping in joy the ending of Street Fighter II, she is shown to have visited her father’s grave after she has successfully defeated Bison (figure 19). She is also illus gears and don norma rated to remove her fighting clothes, while saying “AND I CAN GET BACK TO BEING A YOUNG SINGLE GIRL” (figure 20). It is apparent that Chun Li does not ac ually enjoy fighting, but she has to do that in order to find out the truth behind her father’s death and avenge him. She is strong in her own right, yet she uses that strength not only for fighting (like her movie counterpart does) but also for helping others (figure 22).
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